Between April 2025 and April 2026, 7,502 individuals with disabilities were employed across 40 state institutions in Cambodia, representing 2.48% of the workforce. This group includes 1,035 women and 3,035 individuals with severe disabilities. In the private sector, 551 entities have hired 7,800 persons with disabilities, the majority of whom—approximately 5,200—are women.
Speaking at a recent workshop in Phnom Penh focused on eliminating discrimination against women with disabilities, Nhem Morakot, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Women's Affairs, highlighted the government's commitment to promoting the rights and protection of these individuals. She noted that Cambodia’s history of conflict, including landmine contamination, remains a significant factor in the prevalence of disabilities, alongside traffic accidents, workplace injuries, and congenital conditions.
To address employment gaps, the government has established quotas requiring 2% of public sector roles and 1% of private sector positions to be filled by persons with disabilities. According to 2019 census data from the Ministry of Planning, there are nearly 700,000 persons with disabilities in the country, with women accounting for more than 400,000 of that total.
Prime Minister Hun Manet previously emphasized the expansion of social protection, noting that as of late 2025, over 355,000 individuals had been identified through a national disability registration system, with nearly 290,000 disability identification cards issued. Furthermore, as of October 2025, more than 77,000 individuals had received physical or medical rehabilitation services.
Despite these advancements, advocates like Men Vuthy, a resident of Pursat province, stress that social stigma remains a challenge. He noted that continued support is essential to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate equally in society, secure stable employment, and improve their economic well-being.
Source: Khmer Times
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